“Track is my first and only sport,” Vi-Ura said. “It all began the summer before 8th grade, when my brother encouraged me to get involved in athletics. So, I started practicing and enjoyed the training. Once I took everything seriously, it just clicked, and I ended up winning the district in middle school.”
Her brother, Golden Vi-Ura, who competed in football and track at Hastings before graduating in 2017, remains a significant influence.
“He was always my biggest supporter,” Leesi said. “He’d go to my track meets if he was able, pay for my AAU training and events, and continue to give me advice on the technique of my races. But above everything else, he taught me to never give up in the end, which has helped me push through a lot and trust myself when I compete.”
Varsity track comes with its challenges, she noted. “It doesn’t take much to weigh yourself down, mentally, when you’re going against a bunch of other people. You can’t do your best when fear or nervousness gets in the way, so that’s something that can make this sport challenging,” she said.
Still, the highs of the sport outweigh the struggles.
“The support that my teammates and I give each other makes it all worth it,” she said. “Also, there’s usually a rush you get from winning or setting a new PR that is hard to beat.”
Off the track, Vi-Ura balances a part-time job at Sonic with downtime spent watching shows like Martin or horror movies such as I Know What You Did Last Summer. Beyond high school, she hopes to continue running in college while pursuing a degree in dental hygiene or psychology.
Combining speed, grit, and a bold approach to competition, Vi-Ura enters her senior season ready to leave her own mark on Hastings’ program and set the tone for the team’s future.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
